Aluminum is a chemical element with the symbol Al. It has a density lower than other common metals and weighs approximately one third of steel. It forms a protective oxide layer on it’s surface when exposed to air. It is soft, ductile, non-magnetic and is the twelfth most common element in the universe. Aluminum is found everywhere in our everyday lives in products ranging from soda cans to road signs and is utilized in many industries from automotive to aerospace. The most common grades of aluminum used in commercial applications are 3003, 5052, 6061 and 6063 in a variety of tempers.